Colon Rectal Cancer Facts

Colon Rectal Cancer Facts

Colon rectal cancer is the third most common ground for cancer in men, and fourth in case of women. Also known as the colorectal cancer, this kind of a cancer is generally very common among those people who are kind of westernized than those who prefer an Eastern kind of diet.

What exactly is the colon? Basically it is the bottom part of the gastrointestinal system used for the procession of wastes. At its end comes the rectum through which the wastes flow out of the body.

The intestine is the long pipe. The polyps can attack the gut walls while refraining from letting any symptoms being known. A colonoscopy reveals their existence and removal is also possible once they are found out. Most of these polyps are not dangerous, but a few indeed have cancer cells.

If these polyps are untreated and unknown about for a relatively long period of time, they can turn cancerous. Dangerous tumors can also affect many other body organs. Metastasis is the term used when these cancer cells are spread in various body parts. In such a case, a chance of survival is very slim.

It is believed that genetics normally influence colon rectal cancer. Some people tend to get it from other people even though they follow the same diet as that of the person from whom it is contracted. A person’s diet having high fat is more prone to get this cancer as compared to the one whose diet has lower amount of fat.

This also throws light on the fact that food at restaurants and grocery shops are high fat ones. So opt for a diet with low fat, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, food with a handsome amount of fiber, fish of low-fat, whole grain, etc.

People with a genetic problem of this cancer should get themselves checked regularly. In fact, with the passage of time, these cancer cells in the body, if any, will only increase, adding further to the trouble. The polyps can get the information from the chromosomes of the cells that are damaged in the colon, and the result would be a cancer!

If you have ulcerative colitis for a period of more than 10 years, the risk of colon rectal cancer only heightens!

A proven link of hereditary is found out to be the first naturally linked family member(s) of those who have had this cancer. But if this is a norm in the family, chances of an individual of the family having the cancer only increases.

But there is no need to be self-satisfied. Almost 80% of the cases of colon rectal cancer that is reported are found out to be in persons having no family history of such a cancer.

In most cases, symptoms of colon cancer do not show up till time runs out. With an early detection of the cancer, there is a high chance that treatment can be done properly. Normally, it is suggested that you get a colonoscopy done at least once in every ten years after attaining 40 years of age.